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National HIV/AIDS Program
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Treatment Decisions

Summary chart

The following table shows how you can monitor your symptoms, CD4 count, and viral load to help decide whether it is time to start anti-HIV medications:

SymptomsCD4 CountViral LoadRecommendation
AIDS-defining illness severe symptoms (such as unexplained fever or diarrhea for more than 2 to 4 weeks)Any valueAny valueStart HIV drugs
No symptomsLess than 200Any valueStart HIV drugs
No symptomsHigher than 200 but less than 350 Any value Consider treatment but weigh the pros and cons
No symptomsHigher than 350Higher than 100,000Most doctors will hold off on starting HIV drugs, but some will decide to treat
No symptomsHigher than 350Less than 100,000Hold off on starting HIV drugs
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Contents

Treatment Main
Treatment Decisions
Whether to start therapy
arrowShould you start taking HIV drugs?
arrowSymptoms (clinical status)
arrowCD4 count and viral load
arrowWhether you have AIDS
arrowCan you stick to a plan?
arrow Summary chart
What drugs to take
Whether to continue therapy
Resources

HIV/AIDS is a part of the Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards.

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